Wests Tigers sign Tuimoala Lolohea

STAFF WRITERS | May 29, 2017 - 12:34pm

The Wests Tigers have announced the signing of Tuimoala Lolohea, effective immediately.

Lolohea has joined Wests Tigers until at least the end of the 2019 season and is available for selection for the team’s Round 13 clash against the St George Illawarra Dragons.

The versatile22-year-oldd has played 53 NRL games for the New Zealand Warriors since making his debut in 2014.

Wests Tigers Head Coach Ivan Cleary welcomed Lolohea to the club.

“On behalf of everyone at Wests Tigers I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome Tui to the club,” said Cleary. "Tui has shown that he is a player of tremendous natural talent.

"We look forward to helping him develop, and reach his true potential, in the coming years."

#WelcomeTui. pic.twitter.com/OwLToPr3DC

— Wests Tigers (@WestsTigers) May 29, 2017

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe said that Lolohea brings to Wests Tigers experience at both a club and International level.

“We look forward to having a player of Tui’s talent join Wests Tigers for the coming two and a half seasons,” said Pascoe. “At just 22 years of age he’s already represented both New Zealand and Tonga and we’re keen to see him take his game to the next level here.”

Lolohea was a part of the Warriors’ 2014 Holden Cup Premiership winning squad and the following year named the Warriors Rookie of the Year.

He was also named in the 2016 Auckland Nines Team of the Tournament.